Many consider the death of an icon as significant as a natural or national disaster. At the top of my list are 9/11 and the Japanese tragedy where countless lives were reduced to rubble in a devastating earthquake.

But the loss of an inspirational star’s life has its own, equally profound effect, because it hits us in an altogether different, more personally resonant place. When we lose an icon, we lose a sense of the dreams we all want to hold onto and a glimpse of the magic that we believe in. Even if our dreams don’t come true as they do for the luminaries we revere, stars are symbols that a dream is worth trying for no matter who you are, or where you come from.

The last time I felt this way was on August 31, 1997, when the beloved Princess Diana was taken in a fatal car crash. Whomever has envisioned living an enchanted life, becoming a Princess or at least has felt they had the potential to be as poised, confident, and loving, Princess Di served as the living embodiment of these kinds of dreams for every young girl and I dare say, most women. We felt a connection to her because of what she represented and mirrored for each of us.

It is apropos that on Grammy night, I mourn another light that has been too soon extinguished from Earth, only this light was connected to a heaven sent voice; that of church inspired singer, Whitney Houston. She is added to the list of those I have admired, celebrated, respected and honored who have passed.

But Whitney’s death leaves a particularly pronounced hole in my heart, an unwavering sadness and a list of unanswered questions.

BIO: By day Shira Adler is a cantor, spiritual vocalist, certified pastlife regressionist, voice-over artist, producer, performer, writer/blogger and mompreneur and by night… well, she is actually the same person at night though she does admit to wearing fuzzy socks when no one can see her and hiding a secret stash of Mallomars somewhere near her writing desk for those late night pick-me-ups. In, around, and between her various work activities, she is raising two beyond-the-spectrum children as a single mom (though lovingly gives a shout out to her best friend, editor and soulmate whom she considers the bees knees). Is it any wonder her website’s tag line is One Voice Many Paths? Seriously, look up the definition of a multi-tasking Mama and you will find her picture there. But when it comes to living a life of connection, faith and consciousness Shira is the gal to call — or if you’re fresh out of Mallomars — she’s always happy to give you one. For more information visit: ShiraAdler.com, read her blog at Diva-Mama.com; Social: Twitter (1DivaMama), Facebook (DivaMama1), Tumblr (not really sure, but the name is cute) and LinkedIn (because doesn’t everyone?).

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